Mitch Mitchell

Originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year.Presented as archival content.

Last Updated:

10-7-2014

Alternative Title:
John Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell(John Mitchell), (born July 9, 1947, Ealing, Middlesex, Eng.—died Nov. 12, 2008, Portland, Ore.) British rock-and-roll drummer who was the powerful and innovative drummer of the legendary trio the Jimi Hendrix Experience from 1966, when he was hired to tour with guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Mitchell’s drumming underpinned the band’s debut single, “Hey Joe” (1966), and his jazz-inflected rhythms complemented Hendrix’s virtuoso guitar playing on the group’s first album, Are You Experienced? (1967), notably on the tracks “Purple Haze,” “Manic Depression,” and “Third Stone from the Sun.” Mitchell backed Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and at the Woodstock ... (100 of 132 words)